Characterizing the Influence of Abstraction in Full-Scale Wind Turbine Nacelle Testing

Author(s):  
Ryan Schkoda ◽  
Amin Bibo ◽  
Yi Guo ◽  
Scott Lambert ◽  
Robb Wallen

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in full-scale wind turbine nacelle testing to complement individual component testing. As a result, several wind turbine nacelle test benches have been built to perform such testing with the intent of loading the integrated components as they are in the field. However, when mounted on a test bench the nacelle is not on the top of a tower and does not have blades attached to it — this is a form of abstraction. This paper aims to quantify the influence of such an abstraction on the dynamic response of the nacelle through a series of simulation case studies. The responses of several nacelle components are studied including the main bearing, main shaft, gearbox supports, generator, and yaw bearing interface. Results are presented to highlight the differences in the dynamic response of the nacelle caused by the abstraction. Additionally, the authors provide recommendations for mitigating the effects of the abstraction.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Yigit Anil Yucesan ◽  
Felipe Viana

Available historical field data shows that wind turbine main bearing failure can lead to major operation and maintenance costs due to unscheduled downtime. For legacy turbines, fa- tigue is one of the major failure modes and, to a degree, can be partially modeled with physics-based formulations. Unfor- tunately, existing bearing fatigue models can potentially be inaccurate due to lack of understanding of the lubricant degra- dation. One way to enhance these models is to track the grease damage along with the bearing fatigue damage. However, the need of grease degradation data can become an impedi- ment for such strategy. In this paper, we will demonstrate that it is possible to calibrate grease degradation models with cost-efficient periodic visual inspections. Knowing that such inspections introduce observation uncertainty to the model, we will use a hybrid physics-informed deep neural networks to quantify such uncertainties within our models. We built a hybrid model that fuses the physics-based understanding of the bearing fatigue failure with the ability of data-driven layers to compensate the missing physics, with respect to the grease degradation. The proposed hybrid model is also ca- pable of decoding uncertain visual grease inspections with a custom designed classifier. We illustrate the merits of the model with the support of case studies, where we test inspec- tion with different levels of conservatism to train the model and compare the predictions of these models on an artificial wind park. Results from the case studies indicate the success- ful prognostic performance of the trained with limited and noisy observations. While grease damage is predicted with 0.3% root mean square error as a result of baseline inspection campaign, bearing life is prediction is conservatively off only by months for aggressive turbines that have 10 years of life.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0309524X2110152
Author(s):  
Philippe Giguère ◽  
John R Wagner

A 7.5-MW wind turbine drivetrain test bench has been used to apply dynamic loads from IEC 61400-1 design load cases to a multi-MW wind turbine drivetrain. A total of 15 test profiles were tested with each test profile demanding the simultaneous application of vertical, lateral, and longitudinal forces, yawing and nodding bending moments, and rotational speed. These inputs to the test bench were compared with the forces, bending moments, and speed that were applied to the wind turbine drivetrain to quantify the tracking error of the test bench and cross-coupling between forces and bending moments. The effect of the tracking error and cross-coupling on the dynamic response of the test article was quantified using multibody simulation. The tracking error was found not to significantly change the dynamic response of the drivetrain. The experimental and simulation results are used to recommend acceptance criteria for the tracking error when replicating dynamic loads.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 5820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Ishihara ◽  
Yuliang Liu

In this study, advanced hydrodynamic models are proposed to predict dynamic response of a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) in combined wave and current conditions and validated by laboratory and full-scale semi-submersible platforms. Firstly, hydrodynamic coefficient models are introduced to evaluate the added mass and drag coefficients in a wide range of Reynolds numbers. An advanced hydrodynamic model is then proposed to calculate the drag force of cylinder in combined wave and current conditions. The proposed model is validated by the water tank tests in the current-only, wave-only and current-wave conditions and is used to investigate the effect of current on the dynamic response of FOWT. Finally, the full-scale semi-submersible platform used in the Fukushima demonstration project is investigated. It is found that the predicted dynamic responses of platform by the proposed hydrodynamic models are improved by the directional spreading function of the sea wave spectrum and show favorable agreement with the field measurement.


Author(s):  
Meghashyam Panyam ◽  
Amin Bibo ◽  
Samuel Roach

Ground testing of full-scale wind turbine nacelles has emerged as a highly favorable alternative to field testing of prototypes for design validation. Currently, there are several wind turbine nacelle test facilities with capabilities to perform repeated and accelerated testing of integrated turbine components under loads that the machine would experience during its nominal lifetime. To perform accurate and efficient testing, it is of significant interest to understand the interaction between coupled test rig/dynamometer and nacelle components, particularly when applying extreme loads. This paper presents a multi-body simulation model that is aimed at understanding the responses of a coupled test rig and nacelle system during specific tests. The validity of the model is demonstrated by comparing quasi-static and dynamic simulation responses of key components with experimental data obtained on an actual 7.5 MW test rig. A case study is conducted to analyze a transient grid-loss event; a Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) test on the dynamometer and drivetrain components. It is shown that the model provides an efficient way to predict responses of the coupled system during transient/dynamic tests before actual implementation. Recommendations for mitigating the impact of such tests on the test bench drive components are provided. Additionally, observations of differences between transient events in the field and ground based testing are made.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Xing Yang ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Lei Li ◽  
Ya-qian Wang

2014 ◽  
Vol 672-674 ◽  
pp. 1550-1553
Author(s):  
Zhen Guo Shang ◽  
Zhong Chao Ma ◽  
Zhen Sheng Sun

A procedure for obtaining the load distribution in a four point contact wind turbine yaw bearing considering the effect of the structure’s elasticity is presented. The inhomogeneous stiffness of the supporting structures creates a variation in the results obtained with a rigid model. A finite element model substituting the rolling elements with nonlinear compression springs has been built to evaluate the effect of the supporting structure elasticity on the contact forces between the rolling elements and the raceways.


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